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Euro 2012: Mario Balotelli has run hot and cold for Italy

Mario Balotelli of Italy celebrates after Italy win during the UEFA Euro 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. Photo by Martin Rose, Getty Images

The best thing you can say about Mario Balotelli‘s performance at Euro 2012 is that he hasn’t been a disaster.

Questions arose prior to the tournament about whether he was the right pick for Italy’s forward line. Hazing younger players, lighting fireworks off in his bathroom, crashing his car while carrying thousands of dollars around in his pocket, his antics on and off the pitch threatened to become distractions when the tournament kicked off on June 8.

Facing Spain, Balotelli showed clear frustration with his inability to connect. He pounded the pitch, drawing a warning from the referee. And that was before he blew one of the game’s best chances, breaking free of Spain’s defenders and slowing down when he reached the goal, just long enough for Sergio Ramos to check him and force him off in favour of Antonio di Natale, who went on to put Italy up 1-0.

Such a performance might be enough to bench a player for the remainder of the tournament. Coach Cesare Prandelli has shown faith in the Manchester City forward, and at times it has paid off.

Balotelli got a couple of good chances in a 1-1 draw against Croatia and scored one of the tournament’s best goals against Ireland, a bicycle kick he fired in behind him to put the Italians up 2-0.

His performance against England saw a drop in form from the group stage. Balotelli tried the same bicycle kick that succeeded against Ireland, forgetting that he was facing a world-class goalkeeper in Joe Hart. And other chances went awry for the enigmatic forward: a header into the box from Antonio Cassano found him right in front of the goal but Joleon Lescott got there fast enough to pop it high. It wasn’t until the game went to penalty kicks that Balotelli could find the back of the goal.

At the very least, Balotelli has been useful to his squad. Marquee players don’t always have an easy time scoring in international tournaments (see: Messi, Ronaldo in World Cup 2010) and Balotelli has succeeded on that count. But he hasn’t been consistent game-to-game, showing a remarkable ability to let defenders catch up with him.

That tendency could be fatal for Italy’s chances when it faces Germany this Thursday. The Italian style, which involves tight defense and bringing a different game based on who they’re facing, will come up against Germany’s successful attrition strategy, which has seen them wear down, outplay and out-defend their opponents, approaching players like panzer tanks and denying them any room to move.

That strategy could be particularly dangerous when it comes to Balotelli, who couldn’t possibly evade German defences if he wasn’t able to do it against Spain. The Germans defend hard and fast, and their offense, particularly Mario Gomez, is a threat any time it finds space in front of the opposing goal.

Balotelli would be useful as a starter in the Germany game, but if he fails to find the back of the net he should be switched off in the second half for Di Natale, using a tactic similar to what the squad employed against Spain.

The Udinese striker didn’t dress against England, so that means he could be rested enough to dominate against Germany. His goal against Spain was also among the most difficult that Italy has generated in Euro 2012.

The Germany game could be the ultimate test of Balotelli’s ability in an international tournament. He’ll face his toughest task yet trying to evade defenders in the offensive zone and perhaps the ultimate test when trying to convert Andrea Pirlo’s corner kicks into headers. Balotelli has earned a spot playing against Germany but we don’t yet know whether he’ll run hot or cold against the tournament’s best team.

Spain trounced Italy 4-0 in the European Championship final on Sunday (the biggest margin of victory ever in a final), extending their reign as the best team in world soccer. They are the first team in history to win three major international soccer tournaments. To put it simply, their dominance is unparalleled in the sport. But are they the greatest national team ever?